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Superintendent Search

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Lussier Looks Forward to Reconnecting with His Roots

Wellesley’s new superintendent is at heart a Bay State educator.

Some call Austin, Texas the liberal haven of the south. It’s a beautiful southern city with dusty streets and a chic rock and roll nightspot never out of eyesight. It’s not exactly how one would describe Wellesley, Mass., but, according to Wellesley’s new school superintendent David Lussier, there are comparisons to be made. “It’s actually a lot like Wellesley,” he says from the Texas capital. “People are passionate about their schools. It’s why I’ve been here six years.” Lussier, currently the executive director for the Office of Educator Quality in the Austin, Texas Independent School District, certainly brings translatable skills. The Wellesley School Committee saw fit to unanimously vote him into the position Tuesday, and there is …

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Lussier Chosen as New School Superintendent

The School Committee unanimously voted for Dr. David Lussier at a meeting last night.

The Wellesley School System officially has a new superintendent effective next year. The school committee unanimously voted Dr. David Lussier, currently the executive director for the Office of Educator Quality at Austin, Texas independent school district, into the position last night. Lussier previously served as the associate director of domestic policy at the White House. This is his first time serving as superintendent of a school district. Lussier accepted the position soon after the conclusion of the meeting, according to School Committee member KC Kato.

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: May 9

"The Office" actress Mindy Kaling said she dined at a Wellesley Chinese restaurant last night, but which one?

Each morning, Wellesley Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. 1. The School Committee ended a months-long process last night by voting for the town's next school superintendent. 2. The Board of Selectmen met as well last night, where they addressed concerns over the potential St. James property transaction's possible interference with the pending senior center project. 3. At St. James The Great Church's location - 900 Worcester St. - the town plans to build a state of the art recreation center. 4. The town still must approve the transaction at a special town meeting June 13. 5. Late last night, actress and writer Mindy Kaling (@…

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

School Committee to Vote on New Superintendent Tonight

One of the final remaining two candidates will take Wellesley’s top school administrator position.

The day Wellesley parents have been waiting for has arrived as tonight the School Committee will vote for a new superintendent in a public session. The candidate pool is down to two: Judith Paolucci, superintendent of the Yarmouth, Maine school district, and David Lussier, executive director of the Office of Educator Quality for the Austin, Texas Independent School District. Gerald Hill, the third finalist, took a superintendent job he was offered over the weekend in West Bloomfield, Mich. The candidates were all interviewed publicly over the course of the last two weeks. The interviews are available for view at the Wellesley Cable channel’s website. The vote is the only item on the agenda for tonight’s meeting, which begins at 7:30 in the…

Monday, May 7, 2012

Superintendent Finalist Hill Takes Job in Mich., Sources Say

Glenview (Ill.) Patch reported that Gerald Hill, a potential candidate for the superintendent of schools in Wellesley, has taken a job in West Bloomfield, Mich.

The Wellesley superintendent search may be down from three finalists to two in advance of Tuesday night’s vote. Glenview (Ill.) Patch reported Sunday Gerald Hill, currently superintendent of Glenview, Ill. School District 34, has tentatively accepted a the superintendent post in West Bloomfield, Mich. He was offered the job Saturday, according to Patch. The Wellesley School Committee interviewed Hill publicly April 26. Glenview Patch reports that Hill was interviewed for the West Bloomfield job May 4. Hill had planned to retire from the job in Glenview effective June 30, according to Glenview Patch. This leaves two candidates for Tuesday night’s vote: David Lussier, currently executive director of the Office of Educator Quality for the …

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: May 7

The School Committee votes on a new school superintendent this week.

Each morning, Wellesley Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. 1. The Savage 5K Road Race took place at Babson College yesterday. Results are posted at the Wellesley Police website. Photos from the race are available at Wellesleypdphoto.com. 2. Also available at the police department's website are the April/May up-to-date call stats and a 2012 traffic crash map. 3. The Board of Selectmen will not meet tonight. The meeting has been moved to tomorrow night at 7.  4. The School Committee will also meet tomorrow night, as it typically does. At the meeting, the committee will vote to choose a new school superintendent. 5. Cliff Road made …

Thursday, May 3, 2012

School Committee ‘Clears the Deck’ for Tuesday Night Superintendent Decision

The School Committee will vote on a new superintendent next week.

The decision, and only the decision, the town is waiting for will be made next Tuesday night. School Committee Chair Suzy Littlefield told Wellesley Patch she’s cleared the original agenda schedule to include on a vote on who will fill the role of superintendent of schools going forward. “I’ve cleared the deck,” she said in an interview. “It’s the only agenda item. I feel it’s best to focus only on that and not be distracted by other items.” The committee will vote publicly Tuesday night and then go into executive session to determine the job recipient’s contract. The three superintendent interviews are available for view at Wellesley Media’s website. The meeting has yet to be posted on the town’s website.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 27

A house fire on Cleveland Road last night caused extensive damage.

Each morning, Wellesley Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. 1. A fire consumed the first-floor of a home on Cleveland Road last night. 2. The damage from the fire was likely on par with this incident on Kimlo Road in 2010. 3. Today is the last day the Department of Public Works will flush the town's fire hydrants. 4. The Wellesley Planning Board is seeking an associate member. 5. The final superintendent candidate will be interviewed Monday night.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 23

Happy post-Earth Day.

Each morning, Wellesley Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. 1. Wellesley Police alerted the community to a traffic delay near 800 Washington St. due to a small brush fire Saturday afternoon. The fire was quickly contained, police reported. 2. Wellesley filmmaker Mary Mazzio's documentary "The Apple Pushers" debuted yesterday in Boston and four other cities. 3. The final school vacation week has ended, and the School Committee will begin interviewing the three superintendent candidate finalists this week. 4. The first candidate will be interviewed at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Town Hall. 5. The Board of Selectmen will meet tonight at 7 …

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Chartwells Out; Superintendent Finalists Selected

Superintendent selections and other news made for an interesting week in Wellesley.

The School Committee presented three finalists for the soon-to-be open school superintendent position Friday morning. The three finalists will be interviewed publicly and privately on three separate days following school vacation week. A Dover author set her novel in Wellesley, highlighting the “bitchy” nature and competitive side of the suburbs. The School Committee voted to not renew Chartwells’ contract. Chartwells was contracted to serve food in the schools this year. 

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